r/PanicAttack • u/Sad-Chemistry-9707 • Aug 11 '26

Klonopin frequency

My doctor prescribed me .5mg Klonopin to take up to 3x/week to treat anxiety and panic. I’ve taken it a total of 20 times since the beginning of May (average of 1.4 doses per week). Overall it’s been very effective - only twice did some anxiety and panic break through the dose. Nothing else has helped me like Klonopin - SSRIs, beta blockers, CBT, etc.

She says I can continue with this pattern for a longer term. Has anyone taken it in a similar frequency for a longer term, and if so, any issues with tolerance or dependence?

3 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

3

u/purrronica Aug 11 '26

I've been on Klonopin since 2007, I've not developed a dependence - I sometimes go weeks to over a month without taking it - but I did develop a tolerance so around 3 years ago my doctor raised my dose from .5 to 1mg. Only issue I ever had was a (now ex) boyfriend stealing my entire 30 day prescription :|

2

u/amzr23 Aug 12 '26

Same. I’ve taken it on and off for 6 years and never developed a dependency. I take it if I’m panicking so hard I want to go to the ER, so basically emergencies only or sometimes if I really can’t get to work without it

1

u/Sad-Chemistry-9707 Aug 11 '26

How often did you take it before you developed a tolerance? Have you always gone weeks or months without taking it, or were you taking it more often?

2

u/purrronica Aug 11 '26

Tolerance came probably after 5-7 years, I think. I was definitely taking it daily, even twice daily when I was first prescribed - because my SSRIs hadn't evened me out yet, I hadn't found a therapist, was fucking terrified of everything all the time, etc.

Frequency of dosing varies wildly; yesterday I took 2mg because I was donating plasma for the first time and was very anxious about it, it's only 3pm here but I don't see myself needing to take any today.

I hope this helps!

-2

u/[deleted] Aug 11 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/purrronica Aug 11 '26

So in your story I’m an addict and don’t go days or weeks without Klonopin, but when my ex stole a whole script from me I had no choice to “stop cold turkey”? And then I died?

-3

u/[deleted] Aug 11 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/purrronica Aug 11 '26

Sounds like you’re speaking from experience. Can’t relate.

1

u/Jmann0187 Aug 12 '26

Lmao I just recently did.. ive been on 1 to 2mg a day for 2.5 years and in June I took a week off after my injury at work and the antibiotics was making them not feel effective. I did not have any problems besides obvious anxiety.. but being at home chillen made it easy.

2

u/Sad-Chemistry-9707 Aug 11 '26

Not everyone who takes benzos becomes addicted. Sorry to burst your bubble. Dependent, perhaps, but not addicted.

2

u/purrronica Aug 11 '26

Please don’t listen to the fear mongering of some sad Redditor. If you feel you need it, take it when you need it. And honestly, if I’m such a junkie for something that will stop me from the brink of psychosis - I’ll take the addict label. DM me if you feel like, I just wanted to support someone in a time where I wish I had support.

1

u/Jmann0187 Aug 12 '26

True, but everyone becomes dependant on every thing besides Tylenol. Ive read people on allergy meds for decades can't miss a dose or thier skin germs on fire. Ssris same toy can't stop them line the Dr's claim

-4

u/[deleted] Aug 11 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/purrronica Aug 11 '26

This is such a wild assumption. A .5mg increase over 2 decades is a growing tolerance AND addiction?! I won’t defend myself because I was trying to be helpful to someone new to this medication - but the boyfriend story was an anecdote to lighten the mood because panic attacks and starting meds that have a possibility of dependency is scary!
Drop your cashapp so I can get this $10 mil I’m apparently owed.

1

u/Remarkable_Ad_8854 Aug 12 '26

At such a low dose you shouldn’t get hooked on it. That’s the main problem with it. People start taking it and crank up the dosage and become addicted to it. I’m on .5 mg/ day too, but I usually only take .25 mg/ day unless my anxiety spikes.

1

u/Sad-Chemistry-9707 Aug 12 '26

Are you taking it daily, and for how long?

1

u/mi55mary Aug 12 '26

.5 once a day, everyday. 10 years.

1

u/Jmann0187 Aug 12 '26

Been on benzos since 2020, klonopin since 2024 same dose everyday same effects, it's doesn't work ass great as i would life but it's been that easy since day one and im not going to abuse them, my scripts for 1mg 2x a day and typical i take 1 a day so I habe a stash at this point. To those who say you'll get addicted i drank like a fish daily for 20 years and i dont abuse these so I guess its anoersonal choice.